Larry thought he could keep his conversation with Jade a secret, but Bethany heard every word. When she demanded answers, his response only made her suspicions stronger. Now, one unexpected phone call threatens to expose something much bigger!
JADE CALLS LARRY — BETHANY OVERHEARS EVERYTHING!
Jade’s Unexpected Phone Call
Larry’s phone suddenly began ringing while he was sitting on the living room sofa. He glanced at the screen and immediately recognized Jade’s name. For a moment, he hesitated before answering, unaware that Bethany was standing just outside the room, listening closely.
LARRY: “Hey, Jade. What’s going on?”
JADE: “Larry, we need to talk. I’ve been thinking about the way you’ve been acting lately, and honestly, I don’t understand what you’re trying to do.”
Larry sat up and lowered his voice.
LARRY: “What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
JADE: “That’s exactly the problem. You keep acting like everything is normal, but your behavior says something completely different. You called me, wanted to see me, and now you’re acting like there’s nothing to discuss.”
Larry looked toward the hallway to make sure nobody was nearby.
LARRY: “Listen, I don’t want to have this conversation over the phone. We should meet somewhere and talk properly.”
Bethany stopped moving when she heard him say those words. She slowly stepped closer to the doorway, trying not to make any noise.
JADE: “And what exactly do you want to talk about when we meet?”
LARRY: “I just want to clear a few things up. There’s no reason for us to keep misunderstanding each other.”
JADE: “Larry, I’m not interested in playing games. If you have something to say, you need to be honest about it.”
LARRY: “I’ll explain everything when I see you. Are you available later today?”
JADE: “Maybe. But I don’t want you showing up and pretending this conversation never happened.”
LARRY: “I promise we’ll talk.”
Before Jade could respond, Larry ended the call. He placed his phone on the sofa and took a deep breath.
But when he turned around, Bethany was standing directly behind him.
Bethany Demands An Explanation
BETHANY: “Who was that?”
Larry looked surprised.
LARRY: “Who?”
BETHANY: “Don’t play with me, Larry. I heard you talking. Who were you making plans to meet?”
Larry picked up his phone and tried to act casually.
LARRY: “It was just a phone call. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”
BETHANY: “Because I heard the entire conversation. You were talking about meeting someone and promising to explain everything. So I’m asking you again. Who was it?”
Larry remained silent for a moment.
LARRY: “It was Jade.”
Bethany’s expression immediately changed.
BETHANY: “Jade? Seriously, Larry? You’re sitting in this house making plans to meet Jade, and you don’t think I deserve an explanation?”
LARRY: “I knew you were going to react like this. That’s why I didn’t want to discuss it while you were standing around listening.”
BETHANY: “Listening? You were having a conversation right in our living room! What exactly was I supposed to do? Pretend I couldn’t hear you?”
Larry stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
LARRY: “Bethany, I don’t have time for another argument. Jade wanted to talk, and I told her we could meet.”
BETHANY: “Why does Jade need to meet you? What is so important that you can’t discuss it over the phone?”
Larry turned around.
LARRY: “Because she has questions about my behavior, and I want to answer them.”
Bethany folded her arms.
BETHANY: “Your behavior? What kind of behavior are we talking about? And why is she so concerned about you?”
LARRY: “You’ll have to ask her.”
BETHANY: “No, Larry. I’m asking you. You’re my husband, and I shouldn’t have to find out what’s happening in your life from another woman.”
Larry shook his head.
LARRY: “You keep bringing up our marriage, but every time I try to have a conversation with you, it turns into an argument.”
BETHANY: “Because you never give me a straight answer!”
Brooke Walks Into The Argument
At that moment, Brooke entered the living room carrying her school papers. She immediately noticed the tension between them.
BROOKE: “What’s going on? Why are both of you arguing?”
Bethany turned toward her.
BETHANY: “Ask your father. Apparently, he’s making plans to meet Jade now.”
Brooke looked at Larry.
BROOKE: “Dad, is that true?”
LARRY: “Yes, Jade called me. We need to discuss something.”
BROOKE: “Then why is Mom upset?”
BETHANY: “Because he keeps acting like I’m supposed to accept everything without asking questions.”
Brooke placed her papers on the table.
BROOKE: “Mom, if you have a question, let him answer it. But arguing isn’t going to make anything clearer.”
Bethany looked frustrated.
BETHANY: “Brooke, stay out of this. This is between me and your father.”
BROOKE: “I’m not trying to get involved. I’m just saying everybody needs to be honest.”
Larry appreciated Brooke’s comment, but Bethany clearly wasn’t satisfied.
BETHANY: “Fine. Then let’s be honest. Larry, do you actually want to meet Jade?”
Larry looked directly at her.
LARRY: “Yes. I told her I would meet her, and I’m not going to cancel just because you’re upset.”
Bethany stared at him, almost unable to believe what she had heard.
BETHANY: “So you’re choosing to meet her even after knowing how this makes me feel?”
LARRY: “I’m choosing to have a conversation. That’s all.”
BETHANY: “You keep saying it’s just a conversation, but something about this doesn’t feel right.”
Brooke picked up her papers again.
BROOKE: “Dad, if there’s nothing going on, then just be clear about it. Don’t make everybody guess.”
Larry nodded.
LARRY: “There’s nothing for anyone to guess. Jade wants answers, and I’m going to give them to her.”
Larry’s Answer Makes Bethany Suspicious
Bethany stepped closer.
BETHANY: “Then answer one question for me. If Jade is just someone you need to talk to, why did you lower your voice when she called?”
Larry looked away briefly.
LARRY: “Because I didn’t want another argument in this house.”
BETHANY: “And you think that answer makes everything better?”
Larry didn’t respond.
A few minutes later, Bethany walked into the kitchen, leaving Larry and Brooke alone.
BROOKE: “Dad, you need to understand why Mom is upset. You can’t expect her to trust you when you’re being secretive.”
LARRY: “Brooke, I’m tired of explaining every little thing I do.”
BROOKE: “Then stop giving people reasons to question you.”
Larry looked at his daughter, realizing that even Brooke wasn’t willing to defend him this time.
Meanwhile, Bethany returned to the living room with her phone in her hand.
BETHANY: “Larry, I want you to tell me something before you leave.”
LARRY: “What now?”
BETHANY: “Are you meeting Jade because she wants answers, or because you actually want to spend time with her?”
Larry stared at her.
LARRY: “I already told you why I’m meeting her.”
BETHANY: “That’s not what I asked.”
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Bethany Asks Larry About Their Marriage
Finally, Larry picked up his car keys.
LARRY: “I can’t keep doing this, Bethany. I’ll talk to Jade, and when I come back, maybe we can have a normal conversation.”
Bethany’s eyes filled with frustration.
BETHANY: “You keep asking me to wait, Larry. Wait for counseling, wait for answers, wait for you to decide what you want. How much longer am I supposed to wait?”
Larry paused near the front door.
LARRY: “I don’t know what else you expect me to say.”
BETHANY: “I expect you to tell me whether you still want this marriage.”
Larry opened his mouth, but no answer came.
Bethany stared at him, waiting for even a simple response. She had asked him the same question before, but every time, Larry somehow found a way to avoid giving her a clear answer.
BETHANY: “See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You can make plans with Jade, you can answer her calls, and you can promise her that you’ll meet her. But when I ask you about our marriage, suddenly you have nothing to say.”
Larry looked frustrated but remained silent.
Jade Calls Again With A Warning
Suddenly, Larry’s phone rang again.
It was Jade.
Bethany looked at the screen before Larry could answer.
BETHANY: “Go ahead. Answer it. She’s clearly more important right now.”
Larry accepted the call.
LARRY: “Hey, Jade.”
JADE: “Larry, I need to tell you something before you come over. There’s something about our last conversation that I haven’t explained yet.”
Larry’s expression changed.
LARRY: “What happened?”
JADE: “I don’t think we should keep this between us anymore. If you’re serious about coming to see me, you need to be prepared for what I’m about to tell you.”
Bethany moved closer, trying to hear every word.
LARRY: “Jade, what are you talking about?”
JADE: “Larry, someone else already knows about us meeting. And I think you should hear what that person said before you make another decision.”
Larry froze.
LARRY: “Who knows?”
Jade paused before answering.
JADE: “Bethany isn’t the only person who’s been asking questions about you.”
Larry slowly looked toward Bethany.
Bethany stared back at him, waiting for an explanation.
BETHANY: “Larry, who else knows about you and Jade?”
Larry didn’t answer. His phone remained against his ear as Jade spoke again.
Purnell’s Name Changes Everything
JADE: “Larry, are you still there? Because there’s something else you need to know. Purnell is involved in this too.”
Larry’s eyes widened.
Bethany immediately stepped forward.
BETHANY: “What does Purnell have to do with Jade?”
Larry looked at Bethany, then back at his phone.
He had never expected Purnell’s name to become part of this conversation. Just moments earlier, he had been planning a simple meeting with Jade. Now, Bethany was demanding answers, Brooke had already begun questioning his decisions, and Jade was revealing that someone else knew more than he had imagined.
LARRY: “Jade, I need you to explain exactly what you’re talking about. Why is Purnell involved?”
JADE: “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Larry. You need to hear the whole story before you come here.”
Bethany stepped between Larry and the front door.
BETHANY: “No, Larry. You’re not walking out of this house until you tell me what Purnell has to do with Jade. I want the truth, and I want it now.”
Larry looked at Bethany, unable to decide whether to answer her or continue listening to Jade.
Then Jade said something that made him completely silent.
JADE: “Larry, there’s a reason Purnell wants you to come to Atlanta with him. And I don’t think Bethany knows what you two have been discussing.”
Bethany’s face changed instantly.
BETHANY: “Atlanta? Larry, what is she talking about? What have you been planning with Purnell?”
Larry slowly lowered his phone. He knew that the conversation he had been trying to avoid was finally happening, and there was no easy way out.
Bethany looked directly into his eyes.
BETHANY: “Larry, I am asking you one last time. What exactly are you hiding from me?”
Larry remained silent as Jade waited on the other end of the call. And just when Bethany thought she had heard enough, Jade was about to reveal the one detail that could change everything between them.
TO BE CONTINUED…